A 2-D anatomic breast ductal computer phantom for ultrasonic imaging

International audienceMost breast cancers (85%) originate from the epithelium and develop first in the ductolobular structures. In screening procedures, the mammary epithelium should therefore be investigated first by performing of an anatomically guided examination. For this purpose (mass screening, surgical guidance), we developed a two-dimensional anatomic phantom corresponding to an axial cross-section of the ductolobular structures, which makes it possible to better understand the interactions between the breast composition and ultrasound. The various constitutive tissues were modeled as a random inhomogeneous continuum with density and sound speed fluctuations. Ultrasonic pulse propagation through the breast computer phantom was simulated using a finite element time domain method (the phantom can be used with other propagation codes). The simulated Ductal Echographic image is compared with the Ductal Tomographic (DT) reconstruction. The preliminary results obtained show that the DT method is more satisfactory in terms of both the contrast and the resolution

Meiotic spindle stability depends on MAPK-interacting and spindle-stabilizing protein (MISS), a new MAPK substrate

Vertebrate oocytes arrest in the second metaphase of meiosis (metaphase II [MII]) by an activity called cytostatic factor (CSF), with aligned chromosomes and stable spindles. Segregation of chromosomes occurs after fertilization. The Mos/…/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases) pathway mediates this MII arrest. Using a two-hybrid screen, we identified a new MAPK partner from a mouse oocyte cDNA library. This protein is unstable during the first meiotic division and accumulates only in MII, where it localizes to the spindle. It is a substrate of the Mos/…/MAPK pathway. The depletion of endogenous RNA coding for this protein by three different means (antisense RNA, double-stranded [ds] RNA, or morpholino oligonucleotides) induces severe spindle defects specific to MII oocytes. Overexpressing the protein from an RNA not targeted by the morpholino rescues spindle destabilization. However, dsRNA has no effect on the first two mitotic divisions. We therefore have discovered a new MAPK substrate involved in maintaining spindle integrity during the CSF arrest of mouse oocytes, called MISS (for MAP kinase–interacting and spindle-stabilizing protein)

Why are good comparative studies of networks so rare? Practical lessons from a study on French clusters

CERNA WORKING PAPER SERIES 2010-08French “competitiveness clusters” were set up in 2005 to strengthen cooperation between small and large enterprises, and training and research institutions working on similar topics and located in the same geographical area, with the aim of making this area more competitive and attractive through enhanced innovation. Our analysis of this set of about 70 apparently similar networks, on which much data were collected, has given us an opportunity to investigate the factors explaining the differences in their performance

Two-dimensional ultrasonic computed tomography of growth bone

International audienceUltrasonography is the main first-line imaging technique used to diagnose various pediatric pathologies. Pediatric radiologists are very keen on ultrasonography since it is a non-invasive, non-irradiant, painless, inexpensive imaging modality, which is also practicable on bedside. In bone diseases, this technique has also proved to be a very effective tool to assess congenital (i.e., hip dysphasia), infectious (i.e., sub-periostal abscess), inflammatory (i.e., chronic arthritis), and even traumatic (i.e., ankle sprain) processes. However, with standard devices, this exam is not suitable for diagnosis or monitoring bone tumors, classically explored by other more effective techniques, which presented various disadvantages (cost, irradiation, sedation, accessibility). Many authors have dealt with the ultrasonic imaging of bones. Their main aim has usually been to assess the thickness of the diaphysis and to calculate the speed of sound of a wave crossing the structure. Our group has been focusing on the cross-sectional radial imaging process, using ultrasonic computed tomography. Known to be a potentially valuable method of imaging objects with a similar acoustical impedance, difficulties arise when it is proposed to obtain quantitative tomograms of more highly contrasted media (hard bone tissues). Finding solutions here involves either using non-linear schemes and/or performing extensive studies on the limitation of the initial approximation. In this paper, we recall the limits of the ultrasonic computed tomography when dealing with highly contrasted scatterers, using a high-order tomographic method. The performances and limitations are evaluated in the basis of simulated and experimental data, obtained using an ultrasonic scanner, to one geometrical-mimicking phantom and to a real children fibula. Sample thicknesses and speed-of-sound varied as a function of radial position and the experimental procedure fulfilled the criteria of the diffraction tomography. Results are promising and suggest that the geometrical and acoustical characteristics of the bones, which are known to be one of the main factors contributing to the growth bone disease, can be determined using this ultrasonic computed tomography

Kunstvermittlung für des Spracherwerb. Handbuch mit Übungen.

Dieses Handbuch entstand im Rahmen des Projekts LALI (Language und Literacy Learning through Art) und profitiert von dem inter-disziplinären Expert_innen-Team aus vier europäischen Ländern.Eines des Projektziele war, ein pädagogisches Handbuch zu entwickeln, um Kompetenzen zu föredern and dadurch die soziale Inklusion von benachteiligten Menschen oder Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund zu verbessern. [...]</p

Taiteen välittäminen kielen opetuksessa. Menetelmä- ja aktiviteettikokoelma

Tämä käsikirja on toteutettu LALI-projektin (Language and Literacy Learning through Art) puitteissa, ja sen tekemiseen on osallistunut neljästä Euroopan maasta koostuva monialainen työryhmä. Projektin tavoitteena on ollut luoda pedagoginen työkalupakki, joka edistää perustaitoja, ja näin parantaa vähemmän koulutettujen tai maahanmuuttajataustaisten sosiaalista osallisuutta. Lähestymistapamme innovatiivinen osa on hybridi opetusmetodi, jossa hyödynnetään taidehistoriasta systemaattisesti valittuja visuaalisia resursseja kielen ja luku- ja kirjoitustaidon oppimisen tukena. Tästä käsikirjasta löydät kokoelman aktiviteetteja, joita voidaan käyttää museoympäristössä ja/tai luokkahuoneessa museokäynteihin valmistautumiseen. Taideteokset tarjoavat erinomaisen lähtökohdan monitasoiseen keskusteluun ja/tai vuorovaikutukseen osallistujien välillä. Keskustelut voivat liittyä taideteoksiin sinänsä tai erilaisiin kulttuuriperinteisiin isäntämaassa ja osallistujien kotimaissa. Kouluttajan työkalupakkia pilotoitiin sarjassa työpajoja, joiden osallistujat edustivat kahta profiilia: vastikään saapuneille maahanmuuttajille opetettiin kohdemaan paikalliskieltä, kun taas sujuvammin kohdemaan kieltä puhuville henkilöille, joilla oli puutteelliset kirjoitus- ja lukutaidot, opetettiin myös luku- ja kirjoitustaitoa. Näissä aikuisille suunnitelluissa tehtävissä painotetaan non-formaaleja ja osallistavia lähestymistapoja oppimiseen; useimmissa harjoituksissa ehdotetaan pari- tai pienryhmätyöskentelyä dialogin, vuorovaikutuksen ja vertaisoppimisen edistämiseksi. Suosittelemme käsikirjaa kielten opettajille, jotka haluavat viedä opetusryhmiään luokkahuoneen ulkopuolelle ja muuttaa oppimiskontekstia hiukan tavallista enemmän taidetta ja leikkimielisyyttä sisältäväksi. Huomionarvioista on, että osallistujat arvostivat eniten melko itsenäistä taideteoksiin tutustumista ja epäsuoraa ohjausta keskustelujen aloittamiseksi. Saimme myös positiivista palautetta hetkistä, jolloin osallistujat löysivät linkkejä oman kulttuuritaustansa ja näyttelyiden esittämän maailman väliltä, kuten samankaltaisuudet japanilaisten ja syyrialaisten myyttien välillä sekä kuvaukset maailman läntisissä ja itäisissä maissa tapahtuneiden sisällissotien jälkivaikutuksista.</p

Apprentissage de la langue par la médiation artistique. Activités pédagogiques.

Elaboré dans le cadre du projet LALI (Apprentissage d ela langue et d ela littératie à travers l'art), et fruit d'une coopération interdisciplinaire, ce manuel a été conçu par des spécialistes provenant de quatre pays européens. L'objectif de ce projet a été de construire un ensemble d'outils pédagogiques afin de développer des compétences de base et ainsi d'améliorer l'insertion sociale de personnes vivant dans la grande précarité, issues de l'immigration, ne maîtrisant pas la langue locale du pays d'accueil, ou venant de milieu non francophone.L'élément innovant de notre approche est une méthodogie mixte, qui articule des ressources visuelles puisées systématiquement dans l'histoire de l'art avec l'apprentissage de langue et, ou, de littératie. Ce manuel comprend un corpus d'activités pédagogiques qui peuvent être utilisés dans un milieu muséal ou en classe, pour préparer des visites en musée. Les oeuvres d'art offrent une base idéale pour lancer des discussions et/ou pour créer des interactions entre les participants, et ce à plusieurs niveaux; autour des oeuvres elles-mêmes ou en rapportant avec les différences interculturelles des patrimoines du pays d'roginen et du pays d'acceuil.</p

Unilateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Prostate Cancer Patients Diagnosed in the Era of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-targeted Biopsy: A Study That Challenges the Dogma

PURPOSE Bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection at the time of radical prostatectomy is the current standard of care if pelvic lymph node dissection is indicated; often, however, pelvic lymph node dissection is performed in pN0 disease. With the more accurate staging achieved with magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsies for prostate cancer diagnosis, the indication for bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection may be revised. We aimed to assess the feasibility of unilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection in the era of modern prostate cancer imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed a multi-institutional data set of men with cN0 disease diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsy who underwent prostatectomy and bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection. The outcome of the study was lymph node invasion contralateral to the prostatic lobe with worse disease features, ie, dominant lobe. Logistic regression to predict lymph node invasion contralateral to the dominant lobe was generated and internally validated. RESULTS Overall, data from 2,253 patients were considered. Lymph node invasion was documented in 302 (13%) patients; 83 (4%) patients had lymph node invasion contralateral to the dominant prostatic lobe. A model including prostate-specific antigen, maximum diameter of the index lesion, seminal vesicle invasion on magnetic resonance imaging, International Society of Urological Pathology grade in the nondominant side, and percentage of positive cores in the nondominant side achieved an area under the curve of 84% after internal validation. With a cutoff of contralateral lymph node invasion of 1%, 602 (27%) contralateral pelvic lymph node dissections would be omitted with only 1 (1.2%) lymph node invasion missed. CONCLUSIONS Pelvic lymph node dissection could be omitted contralateral to the prostate lobe with worse disease features in selected patients. We propose a model that can help avoid contralateral pelvic lymph node dissection in almost one-third of cases

Unilateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Prostate Cancer Patients Diagnosed in the Era of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-targeted Biopsy: A Study That Challenges the Dogma

PURPOSE: Bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection at the time of radical prostatectomy is the current standard of care if pelvic lymph node dissection is indicated; often, however, pelvic lymph node dissection is performed in pN0 disease. With the more accurate staging achieved with magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsies for prostate cancer diagnosis, the indication for bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection may be revised. We aimed to assess the feasibility of unilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection in the era of modern prostate cancer imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed a multi-institutional data set of men with cN0 disease diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsy who underwent prostatectomy and bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection. The outcome of the study was lymph node invasion contralateral to the prostatic lobe with worse disease features, ie, dominant lobe. Logistic regression to predict lymph node invasion contralateral to the dominant lobe was generated and internally validated. RESULTS: Overall, data from 2,253 patients were considered. Lymph node invasion was documented in 302 (13%) patients; 83 (4%) patients had lymph node invasion contralateral to the dominant prostatic lobe. A model including prostate-specific antigen, maximum diameter of the index lesion, seminal vesicle invasion on magnetic resonance imaging, International Society of Urological Pathology grade in the nondominant side, and percentage of positive cores in the nondominant side achieved an area under the curve of 84% after internal validation. With a cutoff of contralateral lymph node invasion of 1%, 602 (27%) contralateral pelvic lymph node dissections would be omitted with only 1 (1.2%) lymph node invasion missed. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic lymph node dissection could be omitted contralateral to the prostate lobe with worse disease features in selected patients. We propose a model that can help avoid contralateral pelvic lymph node dissection in almost one-third of cases

Identifying potential survival strategies of HIV-1 through virus-host protein interaction networks

Background: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched the HIV-1 Human Protein Interaction Database in an effort to catalogue all published interactions between HIV-1 and human proteins. In order to systematically investigate these interactions functionally and dynamically, we have constructed an HIV-1 human protein interaction network. This network was analyzed for important proteins and processes that are specific for the HIV life-cycle. In order to expose viral strategies, network motif analysis was carried out showing reoccurring patterns in virus-host dynamics.Results: Our analyses show that human proteins interacting with HIV form a densely connected and central sub-network within the total human protein interaction network. The evaluation of this sub-network for connectivity and centrality resulted in a set of proteins essential for the HIV life-cycle. Remarkably, we were able to associate proteins involved in RNA polymerase II transcription with hubs and proteasome formation with bottlenecks. Inferred network motifs show significant over-representation of positive and negative feedback patterns between virus and host. Strikingly, such patterns have never been reported in combined virus-host systems.Conclusions: HIV infection results in a reprioritization of cellular processes reflected by an increase in the relative importance of transcriptional machinery and proteasome formation. We conclude that during the evolution of HIV, some patterns of interaction have been selected for resulting in a system where virus proteins preferably interact with central human proteins for direct control and with proteasomal proteins for indirect control over the cellular processes. Finally, the patterns described by network motifs illustrate how virus and host interact with one another